5 Ways You Can Clear A Slow Drain
It’s true that drain clogs always find a way to present themselves during the worst times in Xenia, OH. Whether your in-laws are visiting or you plan on cooking a big dinner for your family, your sink needs a quick fix.
Before you call a plumber to investigate the underlying problem, you can work on unclogging the drain yourself. Clearing the drain quickly will help get you through the day and back to your busy life.
Although the best way to clear a clog is by calling your local plumbers, you might not always have the time. For this reason, we’ve come up with a list of five emergency techniques you can use to fix your slow drain:
1. Use A Plunger
Although you might think plungers are only for toilets, they are actually used to clear clogs of any kind. So take your cup plunger and head over to your sink.
First, remove all of the standing water in the sink. Then, remove the drain cover and place the plunger cup on top of the drain. Ensure it fits completely with an effective vacuum.
Next, pump the plunger up and down for around 45 seconds. Lastly, turn on the faucet, let the water drain, and repeat this process until you have fixed the slow draining plumbing.
2. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
The combination of baking soda and vinegar is a classic DIY drain cleaner. First, pour a half cup to a full cup of dry baking soda down the slow draining plumbing. You should try to push the baking soda as far down the sink’s drain as you can.
Next, pour an equivalent amount of vinegar down the drain. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and start to fizz. This breaks up clogs and any grease buildups that were causing the slow draining plumbing.
After letting the fizzing solution sit for two minutes, pour hot (but not boiling) water down the drain to flush it out.
If you still have a slow drain, you can repeat the process three more times. However, remember to flush the drain out with hot water each time.
3. Remove Hair
If you have slow draining plumbing in your bathroom, there’s a good chance it’s caused by hair. The best technique to remove hair from your drain is simply pulling it out.
You can remove hair by modifying a wire clothing hanger into a long hook-like device. Then, you can easily reach into the clogged drain and pull as much hair out as you can. However, you’ll need to be careful when doing so. If you mishandle the hanger, you can dent or scratch the sides of the pipe.
If your bathtub or shower drain is frequently slow or stopped up, it’s best to call a local professional plumber to completely clean out hair-based clogs.
4. Clean Out the P-Trap
P-traps are located under every sink and look like bent pipes. They connect the sink’s drain to the wall. These pipes hold a tiny amount of water at all times that blocks sewer gases from rising into the pipes.
However, P-traps are vulnerable to debris, grease, and hair. When these items get stuck inside, you’ll need to remove the P-trap to clean it out.
You can remove and clean your P-trap by following these steps:
- Put on gloves
- Turn off the water to the sink
- Place a bucket underneath the P-trap
- Remove the slip nuts that secure the P-trap to the sink and wall pipe
- Clean out the P-trap inside the bucket
You should be warned that you may find some revolting stuff inside.
5. Use Boiling Water
In a last-ditch effort to fix your slow drain, you can try pouring boiling water into the clogged drain. The heat of the water can break down buildups that are causing the drain clog.
You can also add dish detergent to the boiling water to help break grease down even more. Furthermore, you can use boiling water together with your plunger.
Still, Have Slow Draining Plumbing?
These fixes should get you through an important dinner party or a family visit, but your drain is likely to clog again. This is because the underlying issue causing the slow draining wasn’t directly fixed.
If your home is located in Xenia, OH, give Dean’s Plumbing a call today. Since 1990, we’ve been a family-owned business offering expert workmanship and quality care. We understand how valuable your home is to you and aim to make sure your home environment is perfectly comfortable.
Although slow-draining plumbing is inconvenient, our expert technicians will inspect your home and provide the necessary repairs. So get in touch with your friendly Xenia, OH, local plumbers at Dean’s Plumbing.